Ciba Corning achieves ISO 9000 registration at worldwide manufacturing and development sites.

Diagnostics Corp., the diagnostics business unit of Chiron Corp. (NASDAQ: CHIR) has achieved a major milestone in its Total Quality program by receiving ISO 9000 registration for all six of its manufacturing and development sites and one of its distribution centers.

These facilities develop, produce, and market in vitro diagnostic products and systems for the worldwide hospital and laboratory market.

Site Date Registrar ISO Standard

Brussels, Belgium 12/95 Bureau Veritas 9002

Quality International Sudbury, UK 9/91 Lloyds Register 9001 Oberlin, Ohio 4/94 TUV Rheinland 9001 Irvine, Calif. 9/94 TUV Rheinland 9001 Alameda, Calif. 5/95 TUV Rheinland 9002 Medfield, Mass. 6/95 TUV Rheinland 9001 Walpole, Mass. 12/95 TUV Rheinland 9001

In 1991, Ciba Corning committed that these organizations would achieve ISO 9000 registration by year end 1995. Employees from manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, research and development and commercial groups teamed up to lead, plan and implement the 12 to 18 month registration cycle at each facility.

"Full ISO 9000 registration demonstrates Ciba Corning's commitment to operating in harmony with recognized worldwide quality system standards," said Dick Farkas, executive director for quality. "The ISO 9000 system has become an international language of quality, and organization-wide registration is a hallmark of quality leadership."

ISO 9000 is a comprehensive set of standards for quality systems applicable to design, procurement, development, manufacturing and service requirements. The ISO 9000 registration process includes documentation and demonstration of usage of a comprehensive total quality system. The ISO quality standards are sponsored by the International Organization of Standardization based in Geneva. Currently, 90 countries, including the United States, are participating members.

ISO registration is already starting to benefit Ciba Corning by:

- Reinforcing Ciba Corning's ongoing commitment to customers for quality excellence as many key customers use ISO 9000 registration as a cornerstone for certifying their best suppliers.

- Aiding in compliance with European Union Directives leading to application of the CE Mark to products.

- Forging a quality system that is highly consistent with the revised U.S. FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulations.

"Total Quality is a dedication and commitment of the Ciba Corning organization demonstrated by this major achievement," said Bill Rutter, chairman of Chiron Corp. "Our Ciba Corning manufacturing facilities have never been in a better position to provide customers with the highest quality products in the diagnostic industry."

Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp., a Chiron business, is a leading international manufacturer of automated instrumentation, reagents, and controls for the clinical laboratory designed for the detection and measurement of disease. Ciba Corning provides clinical laboratory practitioners with advanced diagnostics technologies in Critical Blood Analysis, Clinical Chemistry, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease, Allergy, and Oncology. Ciba Corning is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiron Corp. of Emeryville, Calif.

Chiron Corp., headquartered in Emeryville, is a diversified, science-driven healthcare company that combines diagnostic, vaccine, and therapeutic strategies for managing disease. Chiron participates in four global healthcare markets: diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and ophthalmic surgical products.

CONTACT: Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp.

Judith Rossi, 508/359-3807